U.S. Senator Tommy Tuberville is working to make sure that Alabama’s water infrastructure will continue to operate and provide for the citizens of Alabama in the years to come.

This week, the lawmaker hailed the passage of legislation that will do exactly that. The Water Resources Development Act (WRDA) of 2024, will authorize the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Civil Works Program for projects to make several improvements to the Wilson, Coffeeville, and Demopolis lock and dams.

“Every two years, Congress puts together a WRDA package that provides authorization for the U.S. Army CORE of Engineers to help maintain our water resources infrastructure,” said Tuberville (R-Auburn). ” WRDA is critical to the conservation of ALL water-related resources, such as locks, dams, rivers, and intercoastal waterways.”

“I was able to secure several KEY wins for Alabama in this year’s WRDA package, to make much-needed improvements to our state’s water infrastructure.

He highlighted the benefits of the bill for the state.

“Many of Alabama’s locks and dams are aging and in need of repair, especially along the Tenn-Tom-Black Warrior Waterway. We want to ensure our waterways remain safely open to support economic growth in the region. That’s why I’m proud of our work to secure needed authorizations to make improvements at the Demopolis Lock on the Black Warrior-Tombigbee River and the Wilson Lock on the Tennessee River. Additionally, we secured authorization for a feasibility study to help address flooding in the City of Millport in Southern Lamar County. Finally, we were able to secure language to continue dredging at the Port of Mobile which will allow the port to accommodate larger vessels.”

In November 2024, Tuberville joined every member of the Alabama delegation in sending a letter to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers advocating for Operations and Maintenance (O&M) funding for Alabama’s inland waterway system and expressing concerns over recent major lock failures.

Austen Shipley is a staff writer for Yellowhammer News. You can follow him on  X@ShipleyAusten